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A special welcome to everybody who’s stopping by from Kim’s Insanity and Bliss blog. Thanks for visiting.

Here’s another excerpt from HOW TO KEEP YOUR INNER MESS FROM TRASHING YOUR OUTER WORLD:The Inner Mess is the source of virtually every major struggle in your life. ‘Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?’ (James 4:1). James affirms that the external conflict in your relationships flows out of the internal conflict in your soul.
He also describes your internal conflict as a ‘war in your
members.’ Translation: the back of the bus is shooting spitballs at the front of the bus. Your ‘members’ are the characters on your bus, like a pack of snarling dogs. This is exactly what my wife said about me this morning. But I just snapped at her.

Now you know why sometimes you talk to yourself. Your characters are engaged in a constant shouting match, and sometimes it becomes audible. It’s creepy. Your Inner Messgenerates a host of malfunctions; here’s a partial list:

Random acts of swearing

Losing your car keys before a date, important interview, or church service that you’re being dragged to against your will

Ultimately, a shallow relationship with God.( From the Inner Mess, pp. 18,19)

————————————————–Okay… now back to blogging…

Your Inner Brat is the self-absorbed part of you that never grew up. When your Inner Brat is in control, you indulge your emotional tirades, pout to get your way, and feel entitled to other people’s services.

Your Inner Brat mounts guard over four basic needs:

Notice me!

Satisfy me!

Accept me!

Help me!

These are valid, even healthy, needs. But when your Inner Brat gets invovled, pity the poor fool who’s stuck helping you. To find out more about your Inner Brat, check out chapter 6 in the book.

Just because someone tells you “no” doesn’t give you the right to go bratty on them. Nobody owes you.

Here are my two favorite Inner Brat Bible verses:

“A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.” Proverbs 29:11, NKJV.

“The leech has two daughters– Give and Give!” Proverbs 30:15, NKJV.

Your Inner Brat is the leechy part of your soul, and your willingness to indulge it.

The only way to pacify your Inner Brat is by meeting your four basic needs in healthy, direct ways. Ultimately, as you grow mature in love and in your life with Jesus, he brings his grace to bear. Jesus can lull your Inner Brat into an extended nap. It’s time to grow up, and let him!